Proactive Vigilance: How Citizens can hold their government accountable
Oludotun Babayemi
July 18, 2016
“Abeg, you cannot come and fix a programme that will start at 8 am on a Saturday morning, I will not be able to attend, please postpone it for another day or cancel it” responded Ijiwere to her colleagues, who wanted to visit another friend; “Let me tell you, If you want me to come for that ‘owambe’ party on Saturday, then you should let it start at 10 am” affirmed Giringori, to his friends who were planning an event for Saturday.
“Imagine, those my friend wanted to suggest 8 am as a time for that party, I totally disagreed, and told them Jigida will be aired on radio at that time, and that is the only way I can report the lack of water in Kagara” said Giringori to his elder brother – Ijiwere.
These are the kind of conversations that go on in Kagara community, with everyone looking forward to Jigida, a weekly, one – hour radio programme that allows for citizens to call – in and express their community needs, which afterwards are been documented and sent to the various local government chairmen, and State House of Representative for response and decisions to be made. That’s not all, the first 30 mins of the programme is dedicated to the Councillor of the community sharing with the community, how much and what they will be spending on in the week. This is what proactive vigilance is all about!
Although proactive vigilance or public participation in budgeting or government spending is relatively new, the evidence attesting to its impact on resource allocation and service delivery is growing. Many of the existing findings are based on the well-known Brazilian experience with participatory budgeting, established first in Porte Alegre in 1989, and now replicated in over 40 countries around the world. Nigeria, is not left out as well, as its government hopes to encourage citizen participation, with its recent commitment to joining the Open Government Partnership, a multilateral initiative that aims to secure concrete commitments from governments to promote transparency, empower citizens, fight corruption, and harness new technologies to strengthen governance.
You might be wondering, how many – landlord associations,vigilante groups, market women associations, community development associations, we have in rural communities. A lot of them! When are we going to start having “project vigilante” in rural communities, that will become voices of several communities, because by the time you wake up tomorrow morning, the news will be agog with “one billion dollars to be released to provide water in Kagara” only to go to Kagara after one year, you will find out that Kagara has no water source or a broken water source. Quite pathetic, and that’s is the way we are – the leaders and followers.
Nevertheless, I am excited that the Story Story writers at BBC Media Action are focusing on how citizens at the local government level, can be proactively vigilant on such issues of government spending in their communities, and I recently had some hours of session brainstorming with the crew, on how citizens can become vigilant themselves, I hope all will be reflected in their popular radio drama coming up sometimes in fall. Thanks to Nkem, our Reseach Lead on government finance, who took some notes on the highlights, and I have added them below:
Citizens can at every stage of this budget cycle engage their various government, but limited participation is expected during during formulation
- There is the local government or state government budget, a document that highlights government spending and revenue which can be for a financial year, or a multiyear.
- The Budget has its on cycle starting from formulation (when Ministry, Department, Agencies, put together their budget), to enactment (when the national or state legislative arm assent to the budget), to implementation (the stage at which contractors start executing projects in your communities), and lastly, the assessment stage (where everyone assesses the implementation of the budget, to provide feedback on how the next stage should look like)
- At every stage of the budget, citizens can make noise about their plight, and join in the conversation. They can form themselves as vigilante group or association, and always knock on the door of their local government officer or Councillor.
- They can forward a freedom of information request letter to the local government chairman to request for their budget immediately it passes the enactment stage, and even ask more question like who is the contractor, what is the work plan for the project, how much is the contractor getting, and when will the project be concluded. Here is an example of a freedom of information letter if you want to write one
- Government at the local government and state government level should starting providing platforms as well, for the assesement stage. E.g. using local radio programmes like Jigida, create a referendum mechanism for your local government area for people to have their say on projects proposed for next financial year. It should not be only during elections, that citizens see chairmen of local government or governors of states canvassing for votes.
- Like I always say, the budget is not only the means by which government declare their spending, in fact 50% – 60% of what’s on it might not be relevant. The other way is to always listen to the state news on your local radio, projects will be announced at all times, especially when they are project funded by other partners, such as the federal government or international donor agencies.
Ijiwere and Giringori have decided to do away with social gatherings, and focus on becoming a vigilante for community projects in Jigida, and if you are reading this, you should be towing same way, and you should share this piece. I look forward to the final drama series on this – If you have listened to Story Story, Voices from the Market program, then you should be more expectant. See you all in Kagara town, listening to Jigida on radio!
From left, Oludotun Babayemi, Nkem and the BBC Media Action Writers
Have you ever considered writing an e-book or guest authoring on other websites?
I have a blog centered on the same topics you discuss and would really like to
have you share some stories/information. I know my viewers
would enjoy your work. If you are even remotely interested,
feel free to shoot me an email.
Here is my site :: Adobe acrobat
You really should apply basic safety options of your house console.
You will find typically configurations that stop young relatives from watching unacceptable articles.
You can customize information limits for each and every person in the household.
Currently it looks like WordPress is the preferred blogging
platform out there right now. (from what I’ve read) Is that what you’re using on your blog?
My webpage Adobe Acrobat XI pro
Wow, incredible blog layout! How long have you been blogging for?
you make blogging look easy. The overall look of
your website is wonderful, let alone the content!
Check out my blog: Adobe acrobat
Online poker
Hey there, I think your blog might be having browser compatibility issues.
When I look at your website in Firefox, it looks fine but when opening in Internet
Explorer, it has some overlapping. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up!
Other then that, great blog!
Hi theree just wanted to give you a quick heads up.
Thee words in your article seem to be running off
the screen iin Chrome. I’m not sure if this is a formatting issue or
something to do with web browser compatibility butt I figured I’d post to let you know.
The design look great though! Hope you geet thhe issue resolved soon. Cheers
I am truly glad to glance at this blog posts which
includes plenty of valuable facts, thanks for providing these statistics.
I’m really enjoying the design and layout of your blog.
It’s a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more pleasant for me to come here and visit more often. Did you hire out a developer
to create your theme? Outstanding work!
my page Adobe Acrobat XI pro
This is a topic which is close to my heart… Thank you!
Exactly where are your contact details though?
My blog: Adobe Acrobat XI pro
you’re truly a just right webmaster. The web site loading speed is amazing.
It seems that you are doing any unique trick. Also, The contents are masterpiece.
you’ve performed a wonderful job in this matter!
Its like you read my mind! You appear to know a lot
about this, like you wrote the book in it or something.
I think that you could do with a few pics
to drive the message home a little bit, but instead of that, this is great
blog. An excellent read. I’ll definitely be back.
I seriously love your website.. Very nice colors & theme.
Did you build this amazing site yourself? Please reply
back as I’m hoping to create my own personal website and would
love to learn where you got this from or exactly what the theme
is named. Kudos!
Feel free to visit my web blog :: Adobe Acrobat XI pro
My brother recommended I would possibly like this blog.
He used to be entirely right. This submit truly made my day.
You cann’t consider simply how so much time I had spent
for this information! Thank you!
Feel free to surf to my blog … Adobe Acrobat XI pro
Very quickly this web page will be famous among all blogging and site-building
viewers, due to it’s nice posts
With havin so much written content do you ever run into any issues of plagorism or copyright infringement?
My website has a lot of completely unique content I’ve either created myself
or outsourced but it seems a lot of it is popping it up all over the internet without my agreement.
Do you know any ways to help reduce content from being ripped off?
I’d certainly appreciate it.
My website: Adobe Acrobat XI pro
Hi there! This is kind of off topic but I need some guidance from an established blog.
Is it hard to set up your own blog? I’m not very techincal but I can figure things
out pretty quick. I’m thinking about making my own but I’m not sure where to begin. Do you have any tips or
suggestions? With thanks
my site :: Adobe acrobat
Have you ever thought about publishing an ebook or guest authoring on other websites?
I have a blog based on the same subjects you discuss and would love to have you share some stories/information. I know my subscribers would value your work.
If you’re even remotely interested, feel free to shoot me an e mail.
Usually I don’t read post on blogs, but I
would like to say that this write-up very forced me to
check out and do so! Your writing taste has been amazed me.
Thanks, quite great post.
An intriguing discussion is definitely worth comment. There’s
no doubt that that you need to write more on this issue, it may not be a taboo subject but
generally folks don’t discuss these issues. To the next!
Cheers!!
my site Adobe Acrobat XI pro
Hey! Do you know if they make any plugins to help with SEO?
I’m trying to get my blog to rank for some targeted keywords but I’m not seeing very good results.
If you know of any please share. Kudos!
My blog: Adobe Acrobat XI pro
First of all I want to say great blog! I had a quick question that I’d like to ask if you don’t mind.
I was curious to find out how you center yourself and clear your mind
prior to writing. I have had a tough time clearing my thoughts in getting my thoughts
out. I do take pleasure in writing however it just seems like the first
10 to 15 minutes are usually wasted just trying to figure out how to begin. Any suggestions or hints?
Many thanks!
Feel free to surf to my webpage: Adobe acrobat
Hi! I could have sworn I’ve been to your blog before but after looking at a few of the posts I realized it’s new to me.
Anyways, I’m certainly pleased I came across it and I’ll
be book-marking it and checking back often!
my web-site: Adobe Acrobat XI pro
I am curious to find out what blog platform you are working with?
I’m experiencing some small security problems with my latest site and
I would like to find something more safeguarded.
Do you have any recommendations?
My webpage – Adobe Acrobat XI pro
I got this web site from my pal who told me regarding this web page and at the moment this time I am visiting
this web site and reading very informative articles or reviews at this time.
my blog :: Adobe acrobat
What i do not realize is in truth how you are now not actually much more well-preferred than you might be right now.
You’re so intelligent. You understand thus significantly
in the case of this subject, produced me in my opinion believe it from numerous numerous angles.
Its like men and women are not involved except it’s something
to accomplish with Woman gaga! Your personal stuffs nice.
Always handle it up!
Also visit my web site: Adobe acrobat
online porn video
You are so cool! I do not suppose I’ve read a single thing like this before.
So good to find somebody with some original thoughts on this
subject matter. Really.. thanks for starting
this up. This web site is something that’s needed on the web, someone with a little originality!
投資 変化する
http://cleantalkorg2.ru/article?bedsw
A person necessarily assist to make seriously articles I would
state. That is the first time I frequented your web page and thus far?
I surprised with the analysis you made to create
this actual post incredible. Great job!
If you desire to take a great deal from this article then you have to
apply such strategies to your won webpage.
How do we make a version that’s a bit bigger than the pattern? This is an awesome pattern btw, it’s perfect!카지노사이트
Hey! Would you mind if I share your blog with my twitter group?
There’s a lot of people that I think would really enjoy your content.
Please let me know. Thank you
I may have to learn just so I can make one of my own 😀카지노사이트
When did it start? The day I started surfing the Internet to read articles related to . I’ve been fond of seeing various sites related to around the world for over 10 years. Among them, I saw your site writing articles related to and I am very satisfied.바둑이사이트
This content is worth reading and if you add a table of contents in your articles then it is good for the readers. I appreciated your words in this article.먹튀검증
I do not even understand how I stopped up right here, but I believed this submit was once
good. I do not recognize who you might be but definitely you
are going to a well-known blogger in case you aren’t already.
Cheers!
Hey I am so glad I found your weblog, I really found you by accident,
while I was researching on Bing for something else,
Anyways I am here now and would just like to say thanks a lot for a tremendous post and a all round thrilling
blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to read through it all at the moment but I have saved it and also included your RSS feeds, so when I
have time I will be back to read a great deal more, Please
do keep up the superb work.
My web-site; 바카라사이트 | 해외 온라인 카지노
There’s certainly a great deal to learn about this topic.
I like all the points you made.
Hi friends, how is all, and what you would like to say regarding this paragraph, in my view its truly awesome in support of me.
If some one wishes expert view concerning blogging and
site-building afterward i recommend him/her to go to see
this webpage, Keep up the good work.
my homepage: Agen Slot online
Howdy! This post could not be written any better!
Reading this post reminds me of my previous room mate!
He always kept chatting about this. I will forward this post
to him. Fairly certain he will have a good read.
Thank you for sharing!
I love it when people come together and share thoughts.
Great site, stick with it!
Feel free to surf to my webpage RTP receh88
Hi there, I do think your web site might be having
web browser compatibility issues. Whenever I look at your web site in Safari, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it’s got some
overlapping issues. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up!
Aside from that, wonderful blog!
my web site; best investment platforms
What’s up, for all time i used to check web site posts here in the early hours in the daylight,
since i like to gain knowledge of more and more.
Take a look at my blog :: best investing platforms europe
Greetings! Very useful advice within this article!
It is the little changes that produce the greatest
changes. Many thanks for sharing!
Take a look at my web-site: receh88
My partner and I absolutely love your blog and find most of
your post’s to be just what I’m looking for. Does one offer guest writers to write content available for you?
I wouldn’t mind writing a post or elaborating on most of the subjects you write regarding here.
Again, awesome web log!
my homepage – inmobiliaria punta del este
Howdy would you mind letting me know which web host you’re using?
I’ve loaded your blog in 3 completely different web browsers and I must say this blog loads a
lot quicker then most. Can you recommend a good hosting provider at a reasonable price?
Thanks, I appreciate it!
My page – pgslot
I always used to read article in news papers but now as I am a user
of internet therefore from now I am using net
for articles or reviews, thanks to web.
Have a look at my web-site … best trading platform
I don’t know if it’s just me or if perhaps everyone else encountering problems
with your site. It seems like some of the written text within your posts are running off the screen. Can somebody else
please provide feedback and let me know if this is happening to them too?
This could be a problem with my browser because I’ve
had this happen previously. Thank you
My homepage … Slot Online terbaik